6 weird but awesome gadgets I spotted at Computex 2025

Summary

MSI’s Claw A8 handheld runs on the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme and packs 24GB of RAM with an 80Wh battery.
Acer unveiled AI TransBuds earbuds with real-time call translation in 15 languages.
Asus introduced the ROG Falcata split keyboard for a more ergonomic, left-hand gaming setup.

With large-scale tech events like

MWC
now behind us, Computex 2025 has taken center stage. While this showcase may not be as popular among smartphone users, here in Taipei, several major computing brands have unveiled their latest and greatest. And it’s not just laptops, chipsets, or GPUs — there’s a ton of cool tech on display this year.

I’ve come across some genuinely exciting tech on the show floor this year, including a split keyboard from Asus, real-time translation earbuds by Acer, and the highest-ever refresh rate gaming monitor. Here are some of the weird yet cool gadgets we spotted at Computex 2025.

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A wide 8K display that controls every aspect of your car

Digital cockpits are shaping up to be the next big thing in cars. Tech companies like Apple have already partnered with Aston Martin to launch vehicles with CarPlay Ultra, and while we haven’t seen that in action just yet, MediaTek gave us a glimpse of the future at Computex 2025 by showcasing its own digital cockpit system.

MediaTek’s demo featured an 8K ultra-wide display that stretches from one end of the dashboard to the other. The system shows everything from your infotainment controls, like A/C and drive modes, to lane guidance and real-time safety alerts using integrated cameras and AI processing.

At the heart of it is the company’s Dimensity Auto Cockpit C-X1 chipset, which not only runs the massive display and infotainment system but also supports gen-AI models and virtual assistants. There’s much more going on under the hood, but this prototype totally shows us that there’s a future where cars will be powered by the same tech brands behind our smartphones.

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5

Asus showed off a 610Hz refresh rate monitor

Talk about smooth

If you thought the 27-inch OLED gaming monitors announced at CES 2025 were impressive, think again. At Computex 2025, Asus has unveiled the ROG Strix Ace XG248QSG, a gaming monitor that might just have one of the highest refresh rates ever seen on a display.

This monitor features a native 600Hz refresh rate, with support for overclocking up to 610Hz. It features a 24.1-inch Full HD Super TN panel and delivers 90% DCI-P3 color coverage alongside 370 nits of peak brightness. For those unfamiliar, Super TN panels are known for supporting ultra-high refresh rates but tend to fall short in viewing angles and contrast compared to OLED and QLED panels.

The overall design is quite minimal — surprisingly, there’s no RGB lighting, which is rare for an ROG product. As of now, Asus hasn’t revealed the pricing or availability for this monitor.

Two portable monitors on the sides of a macbook.

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4

Acer is now making smart rings

Because why not join the wearables party too?

The smart ring ecosystem has grown significantly in recent months, with new entries like the Samsung Galaxy Ring, Oura Ring 4, and others. At Computex 2025, another contender joined the list as Acer officially announced its entry into the category with the launch of the FreeSense Ring on the show floor.

The Acer FreeSense Ring features a titanium build along with IP68 dust and water resistance. Like other smart rings, it can monitor health and sleep metrics, and Acer claims it will also track workouts. Notably, the FreeSense Ring will be subscription-free, unlike some of its competitors.

The ring will be coming to the US, though Acer hasn’t shared an official launch date yet. When it arrives, the FreeSense Ring will be available in two colors — rose gold and glossy black — and in sizes 7 to 13. Acer is promising up to four days of battery life on a single charge.

An Oura Ring next to the Garmin epix Pro on a white windowsill.

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3

Acer’s earbuds translate in real-time

Perfect for international travelers

In addition to its smart ring, Acer also unveiled an innovative pair of earbuds that go beyond just playing music and podcasts — they aim to solve a common problem when traveling abroad: real-time translation.

The new AI TransBuds support call translation in 15 languages, including Spanish, French, German, Japanese, and more. They also offer real-time subtitles and transcription. In terms of design, the TransBuds feature an open-ear layout, and Acer claims they can provide up to 5 hours of continuous call time on a single charge.

There’s no official word yet on pricing or availability, but we’ll keep you updated once that information is announced.

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2

MSI’s new Claw A8 runs AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme

This handheld could be one of 2025’s best bets yet

It’s 2025, and gaming handhelds are having a major moment. While most of the spotlight is on the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, core gamers continue to gravitate toward Windows-based gaming handhelds for serious gaming on the go. The recently launched Lenovo Legion Go S impressed Pocket-lint managing editor, Amanda Kondolojy, but there are even more powerful options on the way.

At Computex 2025, MSI officially unveiled its new Claw A8 gaming handheld, powered by the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor and packing up to 24GB of RAM. The Claw A8 features an 8-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate and 500 nits peak brightness. It runs Windows 11 Home and houses a sizable 80Wh battery.

While I didn’t get to spend much time with it, during a brief hands-on session the device felt sturdy and even after a short Tekken session, it stayed cool without noticeable heating.

As with most Computex 2025 reveals, pricing and availability details are still under wraps, but we expect the MSI Claw A8 to launch in the States sometime this year.

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1

Asus made a keyboard that splits in half

It looks wild, but actually makes gaming easier

Tech events always bring different types of gaming peripherals, but one of the unique gadgets I spotted this year was Asus’ ROG Falcata keyboard. Over the years, we’ve seen many ergonomic keyboards come and go, but the Falcata takes a unique approach — why not ditch the right side entirely when all you really need are the WASD keys?

That’s exactly what the ROG Falcata offers. You can split the keyboard down the middle and use only the left half, pairing it with your mouse for a more optimized gaming setup. However, what’s particularly interesting is that while the keyboard itself is wireless, the two halves must be connected via a cable to function together. The ROG Falcata is set to launch this summer in the US.